The Addition of Whole Grains to the Diets of Adults: A Study of Digestive Health and Natural Defenses

Study Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine if substituting whole grains for refined grains in the diets of healthy adults over a period of 6 weeks alters the composition of the bacteria in the gut, and has beneficial effects on immune function, digestive health, cardiovascular health, regulation of body weight and composition, and vitamin K status. The investigators hypothesize that whole grain consumption over a period of 6 weeks will alter the gut microflora toward a more beneficial bacterial profile, improve the immune response while reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, have favorable effects on factors influencing the regulation of body weight and composition,increase bacterial vitamin K synthesis, and beneficially effect surrogate markers of cholesterol synthesis/absorption, vitamin D concentrations, and whole genome DNA methylation patterns. In statin users it is hypothesized that, consumption of whole grains will alter statin pharmacokinetics by decreasing rate of statin absorption, resulting in more sustained plasma concentrations.

Primary Outcome

Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and lymphocyte proliferation will be measured at baseline (week 2 of washout period) and at week-6 of the diet intervention to assess adaptive immune function, specifically T cell-mediated immunity.

Conditions Studied

Interventions

• OTHER Whole grains
• OTHER Refined grains

Study Locations (1)